The St. Peter (Hoffman) Cemetery is located along the Crossroads between Loyalton (on Route 209) and Route 25. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Lykens Valley area. Today, the first set of Civil War burials in that cemetery will be featured with the series concluding tomorrow.

Isaac Moyer was mustered into service in the 49th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, as a Private, on 15 February 1864. On 30 November 1864, he was discharged on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability. He married Mary Breslin and had one known child, Ida Moyer. Not much else is known about him except that he died young at age 27. He was provided a military issue grave marker which is at his graveside at Hoffman’s Cemetery. More information is sought about Isaac, his Civil War service, and the reason for his early demise.

Not much is known about Charles Yohe other than what is inscribed on his grave marker. He was married to Angeline Henninger. His actual Civil War service has not yet been determined, but his grave is clearly marked with a G.A.R. Star-Flag Holder. Information on Charles Yohe is requested so that his veterans’ status can be properly acknowledged.

Christian Kistling served in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, as a Private, from 30 September 1861 to 18 October 1864, when the regiment and company were combined with the 95th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G. Both regiments had many casualties which resulted in one regiment that was about at full strength. Records of the regiment note that Christian deserted on 7 October 1861 but returned on 15 November 1863. On 19 October 1864, one day after the regiments were combined, Christian received a gunshot wound of the right foot and spent the remainder of his service time in recovery until he was discharged on 3 August 1865. Christian Kistling received a “military issue” grave marker which stands at his burial place in the Hoffman Cemetery.

More information is sought on Christian Kistling. Was he married? Did he have children? Where did he live and what was his occupation? Are there pictures? Interesting stories? Anyone with further information, please contribute.

The portrait of John Gunderman (above) was recently located in the files of the Gratz Historical Society. His mother was a Riegle and he married Amanda Rickert (1845-1893) which connected him to two long-standing Lykens Valley families. John was drafted into the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, and served as a Private from 1862 to 1863.

The Gunderman’s had nine known children. They lived in Lykens Township. In 1890, John noted that he was partly disabled and had liver problems. By 1910, he was relying solely on his pension for income. He died on 7 August 1913. He is remembered by being named on the LykensG.A.R. Monument.

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Norman Gasbarro, Ed.D., is a genealogical/historical researcher and writer living in Philadelphia, PA. Norm taught history for over twenty-five years. He is a graduate of Muhlenberg College with a major in history and holds advanced degrees from Rowan University (NJ) and Columbia University (NY).

About the Author

Norman Gasbarro, Ed.D., is a genealogical/historical researcher and writer living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. . Norm taught history and was a school administrator for over twenty-five in New Jersey and was active in professional organizations at the state and national levels. After retirement, he owned and operated a web-based sales business for ten years. He is a graduate of Muhlenberg College with a major in history and holds advanced degrees from Rowan University (NJ) and Columbia University (NY).You can: email or follow him on Twitter